Bench production a key?

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Coach Larry Krystkowiak leaned heavily on his reserves in Wednesday’s victory over the Detroit Pistons at the BradleyCenter and he was thinking that he might have to do the same in Friday night’s rematch at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

In Wednesday’s game, Krystkowiak played five reserves – Charlie Bell, Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons, Dan Gadzuric, and Royal Ivey – between 11 and 24 minutes and he was pleased with their production.

“I thought the second unit gave us a big lift,” said Krystkowiak prior to Friday’s game. “The second quarter I think we won by 11 points and there was no need at all to get those guys out of there. Defensively, they were really good …in the zone and the three-quarter court zone-trap that we had. They brought it and they found a way to score.”

The bench was especially effective in the second quarter when the Bucks out-scored Detroit, 28-17. Each of those five reserves played at least 7 minutes and Yi played the entire second quarter. The Bucks led at halftime, 57-42.

Bell finished the game with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists while Yi had eight points and three assists. Simmons finished with six points, Gadzuric had three points and three rebounds, and Ivey had four rebounds and four assists.